Solvang Man in Custody After Slashing Tires

A Solvang man is in custody after going on a tire slashing spree in Solvang which included six United States mail delivery trucks. Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Deputies arrested 23-year-old Dakota Serge at approximately 12:45 a.m. this morning, February 26. Sheriff’s Deputies responded to the 400 block of Alisal Road after a passerby called 9-1-1 to report seeing a man slashing tires in the back parking lot of a business. When Sheriff’s Deputies arrived, they discovered Serge crouched near a car and tires slashed on 11 vehicles in the parking lot.

Six of the vehicles were U.S. Mail delivery trucks assigned to the Solvang Post Office. In all, 35 tires were slashed and 22 of those were on the mail delivery trucks. Sheriff’s Deputies also discovered an American flag, three Danish flags and a California flag, apparently stolen, stuffed in the sleeves of Serge’s jacket. The flags had been cut down from flagpoles at several businesses in the immediate area.

Serge was transported to the Lompoc Jail and is charged with felony vandalism, petty theft and public intoxication. The case is under investigation by the United States Postal Service.The Sheriff’s Office appreciates the citizen who called 9-1-1 right away to report the suspicious activity which allowed deputies to respond quickly and arrest the suspect.